The timing of Thursday's announcement was a surprise since U.S. Coach Juergen Klinsmann said he intended to wait until the June 2 deadline to submit the roster. The U.S. has two friendlies -- Tuesday against Azerbaijan and June 1 against Turkey -- to play before that deadline.

Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez did make the cut despite a knee injury that forced him to miss the club's last game before the start of the World Cup training camp.

As for Donovan, U.S. Soccer's all-time leader in goals (57) and assists (57) as well as in World Cup games (12) and goals (five), the decision wasn't a total surprise. He and Klinsmann have had a chilly relationship since Donovan took a three-month sabbatical at the start of World Cup qualifying in 2013. Donovan also said earlier this week that his spot on the team was far from a lock.

“In 2006 and 2010, I knew for the most part, unless I was awful, that I was going to make the team," he said. "This time it’s more similar to '02, when I wasn’t sure. In that way, it’s as competitive for me as it’s been in a long time.